[1] Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: [2] "How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind? [3] Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? [4] If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression. [5] If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, [6] if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation. [7] And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. [8] "For inquire, please, of bygone ages, and consider what the fathers have searched out. [9] For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow. [10] Will they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their understanding? [11] "Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? [12] While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant. [13] Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish. [14] His confidence is severed, and his trust is a spider's web. [15] He leans against his house, but it does not stand; he lays hold of it, but it does not endure. [16] He is a lush plant before the sun, and his shoots spread over his garden. [17] His roots entwine the stone heap; he looks upon a house of stones. [18] If he is destroyed from his place, then it will deny him, saying, 'I have never seen you.' [19] Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the soil others will spring. [20] "Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, nor take the hand of evildoers. [21] He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting. [22] Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more."
